Spring 2011/Pasadena
CH549
Van Engen
CH549: CREDOS PRESBITERIANOS [Presbyterian Creeds]. Charles C. Van
Engen.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to enable students to enter into the
theological ethos of the Presbyterian tradition. Reformed theology, culture,
and tradition will be studied in its historical context and applied to the
contemporary church. Special attention will be given to the Reformed
confessions.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The Book of Confessions has at least two
functions within the Presbyterian Church. First, together with the Book of
Order, it comprises the constitution, which governs the church's life and
mission. Secondly, it is a touchstone for the church's theology, which in turn
is the basis for the life and mission of the church. Students preparing for
ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) need to be familiar with, and
appreciative of, their creedal tradition in order to discern their own calling
within the Reformed tradition generally and the PC(USA) in particular, as well
as to be formed by the wisdom (and aware of the mistakes) of the church's
past.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete CH549 will be able to
demonstrate a basic knowledge of the theology and beliefs of the Reformed
tradition, particularly in relation to the theology and history of the
confessions of the Presbyterian Church (USA). They will also be able to
understand and articulate doctrinal statements, including their own personal
statement of faith of the sort required for candidacy and ordination in the
PC(USA). Beyond this, they will be able to interpret the contemporary and
pastoral significance of the Reformed tradition and to evaluate theological and
ministerial issues in the light of Reformed theology and the Presbyterian
confessions.
COURSE FORMAT: Although the course, taught in Spanish, is strongly
contextualized to the Latin American reality, for reasons of integration it
will maintain close ties with the same material as taught in the course in
English. Effort will be made so that a major share of the readings and
assignments may be done in Spanish. The readings will be complemented by
explanation, reflection, and discussion in class. This course meets one day a
week for a three-hour session. It is desirable that students read the Book
of Confessions: Study Edition prior to the first class.
REQUIRED READING:
- Book of Confessions: Study Edition. Westminster John Knox, 1999.
ISBN 978-0664500122, $19.95. [340 pp. assigned.] Office of the General Assembly
(OGA) Minister Directory; Per Capita; Publications ... Phone: (800) 728-7228;
Email: presbytel@pcusa.org; 100 Witherspoon Street Louisville, KY 40202.
Available in Spanish at
http://oga.pcusa.org/publications/confessions-spanish.pdf.
- The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): Part I, Book of
Confessions. The Office of the General Assembly, 1991. Also available
at http://oga.pcusa.org/publications/boc.pdf. Available in Spanish
at http://oga.pcusa.org/publications/boo-spanish.pdf.
- Berkhof, Louis. Sumario de Doctrina Cristiana. Grand Rapids: Libros
Desafio, 2001. ISBN 978-1551-883-4521; $13.35 - to be obtained from the
professor, in class (200 pages).
- Calvino, Juan. Institución de la religión Cristiana,
vols. 1-2. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans; Nueva Creación, 1988. ISBN:
0802809081 (ISBN13: 9780802809087); $ 69.75 used.; Calvin, John. Institutes
of the Christian Religion. Westminster (2 vols.), 1960 or Eerdmans (1
vol.), 1994; or The Comprehensive Calvin Collection. CD-ROM. Albany, OR:
Ages Software, 1988. (Select and read 200 pages on a selected theological
topic.)
- Cervantez-Ortiz, Leopoldo. Juan Calvino, su vida y obra a 500
años de su nacimiento. Barcelona: CLIE, 2009; ISBN
978-84-8267-548-0; $24.99. (Select and read 200 pages.)
- Berkhof, Hendrikus. Christian Faith. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979.
ISBN: 0-8028-3521-X. paperback $39.84 new; $1.36 used.
OR McKim,
Donald. Introducing the Reformed Faith. Philadelphia: John
Knox/Westminster, 2001. ISBN: 0664256449; ISBN-13: 9780664256449; $19.99 paper.
(Select and read 150 pages on a selected theological topic.)
- Van Halsema, Thea. Así fue Calvino. Grand Rapids: Libros
Desafio, 1998. ISBN-13: 9780939125470; ISBN-10: 0-939125-47-1; $15.00 new (200
pages).
- Other selected reading explained in class (100 pages).
RECOMMENDED READING: A list of recommended books can be found in the course
syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
- Three 3-page critical book reviews of selected reading of numbers 3-5,
above;
- Four 1/4-page reading logs of 1, 2, and 6, 7, and 8, above;
- Three 2-page creedal/doctrinal reflections on selected topics or loci,
reading all the PCUSA creeds longitudinally concerning the selected loci;
- One (or two) in-class presentation(s) of a personal pastoral case study in
Hispanic/Latino ministry with 2-page theological reflection (Note: The number
of presentations depends on the size of the class and the available time. Case
studies may be selected from
http://www.lpts.edu/Academic_Resources/ordexamsnewaccess.asp;
- A 2-page theological reflection written concerning each of the other
in-class presentations of a personal pastoral case study, in Hispanic/Latino
ministry;
- One 10-page personal Credo (due week 8), summarized into a 1-page statement
of faith; due Exam Week.
PREREQUISITES: Spanish. No prerequisite courses, but this course is not
recommended for first-year seminarians. Students are encouraged to complete
either STA-B-C or CHA-B-C prior to taking this course.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective, but required by some Presbyteries.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (February 2011)